Furnace



L. C. HARVEY.

. lena. L41 6,406., Patented May 16, 1922. a sains-4Min 1.

L. C. HARVEY.

FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED Aue. 23. I9Ia.

' Patented 16,1922.

SHEET 2.

May

3 SHEETS ATTORNEY L. C. HARVEY.

FURNACE.

APPLlcATmN FILED Aua.23. 191s.

Patented May 16, 1922.

if? las naar FURNACE.

LMGAG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented May 116, 1922.

Application filed August 23, 1918. Serial No. 251,086.

T 0 all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, LEONARD CHARLES Hnnvnr, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in the county of Surrey, Eng land, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Furnace, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a furnace adapted for the melting and pouring of metals, such as brass.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved furnace in which the melting of metal may be carried on without the use of crucibles, and in which oxidization of the metal is much reduced.

A further object is to provide means whereby the metal may be thoroughly mixed and maintained mixed during the melting and pouring operations.

A further object is to provide, in combination with the above, means whereby quantities of the molten metal may be readily poured off from a point below the level of the molten metal, and also from a point where the agitation or mixing of the metal is most pronounced and efficient.

A more detailed object is to provide a furnace having a hearth or metal-bath lining of pan-like shape therein, to provide pivotal supports for the furnace so that the furnace may be oscillated to a greater or less extent to cause the contents of the hearth to surge back and forth, to so shape the bottom wall of the hearth as to cause considerable agitation throughout 'the body of the molten metal, and to provide suitable pouring spouts so that the metal may be poured Y from the hearth at will.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention, and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this specification, and in which I have shown merely a preferred form of embodiment of the invention Fig. l is a perspective view of a furnace constructed in accordance with this invention,

F 1g. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the furnace shown in Fig. l.

'Fig` 3 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of line Hl of -Fig. 2. fl: is a view similar to that shown m h ig. 3, but being taken substantially upon the plane of line IV of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings for describing 1n detail the structure which is illustrated therein the reference character 0 indicates the furnace casing. This is preferably formed of metal and is made in upper and lower sections l and 2 so that the upper section may be disconnected and removed when ever .it is desired to gain access into the interior of the furnace for the making of repairs or the like. L

Suitable trunnions 3 project from the opposite ends of the lower section 2, and these are supported in bearing brackets l so that the furnace may be readily rocked back and forth.

The rocking motion may be imparted to the furnace by hand, or otherwise as may be foundmost desirable under varying circumstances.

Both the upper and lower sections of the furnace are provided with suitable linings L of refractory material suc-h as brick or tlie like, and one or more funnel shaped openings G are provided through the walls of the upper section for the introduction or application of suitable burners, the flames from the burners being directed into the interior of the furnace in the usual way so that tne shape of the openings G serve to spread the flames.

A flue E is preferably provided extending upwardly through the upper section for the emission of products of combustion and other objectionable gases. A hanging chimney piece or the like, as 5, may connect with the flue E as clearly ilhrstratedv in Fig. 2. A damper F is provided for altering lthe size of the flue passageway atwill.

An inspection door G may be provided also through the upper section for inspecting the melting process within the furnace at will.

The hearth, or metal-bath lining M, is formed within the lower section. It is made up of a composite refractory material and is specially shaped substantially as indicated in the drawings. The bottom wall, as 7 eX- tends substantially flat between the opposite end walls 8 throughout the central portion of the hearth. Near its front edge, however, the level of the bottom wall is raised somewhat7 at 9, and the surface 10 of the main portion of the bottom wall is connected with the surface portion 9 by a surface portion 11 which is arranged at a steep angle, or inclinc-7V the junction between the surfaces 10 and 11 being` formed by a smooth coneavedly curved surface portion 12, and the junction between the sinfaees 9 and 11 being formed by a smooth convexly curved surface portion V3. fill of the surfaces 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 c end continuous between the end wall members 8.

The purpose of shaping` the surfaces as just described is to direct 'the molten metal in an upwardly curved or swirling` direction as the furnace is tilted to cause the metal to flow toward the surface 11. its the mass of metal flows against the surface 11 it is direct .l upwardly, and co-acting with the mass of metal above the surface t). is caused to roll back upon itself to a greater or less extent according to the violence of movement of the furnace. A. certain suction effeet is also felt by the metal above the surface S) so that this metal is constantly agi- .ted and inter-changed with the main body.

The surfaces just described may, therefore.) be conveniently referred to as the agjitating surfaeeg for the metal.

ri pouring spout C is provided for use in pouring` small quantities of the molten metal.

lt will be noted that the spout C is tubular,

that it is arranged on an incline, and that its inner end terminates in proximity to the surface 1 1 at a point below the upper level of the molten metal.. By 'this arrangement any metal poured through the spout C is free of the impurities which are present at the surface of the metal7 and is taken directly from that locality where 'the mixing effect of the agitatingg surfaces is at its maximum eiliciency.

A t the rear of the furna 'e the bottom wall of the hearth inclines gradually upwzftrdly, as at 14;, and terminates in a pouring spout l) which may be used when it is desired to pour olf the entire contents of the hearth, that is, both the molten met-al and the slag, or other material which may be present at the surface of the metal. A removable closure member 15 is provided for normally maintaining` the spout D closed.

lt has been found that the gradual incline of the surface 14; cooperates materially in producingI efficient mixing` operation of 'the agritatinp; surfaces. its the furnace is rocked the metal. flows. without great disturbance, back and forth along' the surface 14 and is thus able to the agit-ating surfaces without the presence of any counteraeting currents which would decrease the Lele/roe cllicicnt action of the agitating surfaces. il. removable closure member 1G is preferably employed for closing` the spout C when not in use.

fr charge tube A is provided through which the metal may be fed into the furnace. 'l his tube may be made of plumbago or other suitable matin-iai. lt is arranged in a vertical position and is open at both ends. The lower end rests upon a block l( which supports it above the level of the surfaces 10 and 111 of the hearth, and below the level of the molten metal. The block is narrow, as clearly seen in 3, so as vto leave ample openings'lf fromv the tube at opposite sides of the block. The upperend engages a cover piece H which fits into an opening 18 formed in the upper wall of the furnace, the tube being` connected with said' cover so as to be readily removable therewith, when ever desired. Suitable lifting eyes 19 may be provided upon the cover by which to remove the same at will.

lv hopper E, of metal or other suitable material, is also carried by the cover H in register with the charging tube A and extends above the upper surface of the furnace to conveniently receive the metal to be meltA- ed. fr cap. or closure J, is carried by the hopper l for closing` the same during` the nieltiirel process.

Vent holes l are provided through the walls of the tube A at a point near its upper end, and a further hole 2() is provided through the cover Ql so that a certain amount of hot gases may be discharged therethrough to thereby exclude the admission of cold air into the tube.

The position of the lower end of the tube below 'the level of the molten metal forms a .cal whicln with the seal afforded by the presence of hot `rases in the upper portion of the tube7 to a great extent prevents the presence of oxygen about the metal within the tube. rlhe metal within the tube is subjected to great heat7 not only from all pou tions of the tube and from the molten metal beneath it7 but also from the flames which may pass into the tubeA through the openings l. The metal which is within the tube` and therefore. sealed against the oxidizing effects of the outside air. will melt and flow downwardly as in a crucible. It will How through the open lower end of the tube and spread over the floor of the hearth.

ln operation the metal to be melted is introduced into the tube fr through the hopper B and. when subject to the heat from the burners in the openings Gf, melts and flows over the floor of the hearth. The metal may be continually fed into the ltube and may be as continually poured off from the hearth. All of the pouring` for castings or like purposes. will be from the spout C. Durino' the melting` operation, or at any other desired time, the furnace may be kept rocking upon its supports so that the liquid metal will flow back and forth over the agitat-ing surfaces of the hearth. The metal will thus be kept thoroughly mixed, thc metal being given a circular, or swirling motion upwardly and over upon itself with each movement against the surface 1l. The closure 16 of the pouring spout C may be removed at any time and the furnace held suit-ably tilted S0 that the metal will flow directly from the agitating surfaces through said spout.

Since both the pour-out spout C and the lower end of the tube A stand normally beneath the level of the molten metal, it is apparent that any slag or like material upon the surface of the metal will be held above the level of these parts. That is, the metal flowing downwardly from the tube A would enter the body of molten metal at a point beneath such slag and would remain beneath the slag until poured olf through the spout C. By thus disposing the inlet and outlet openings the slag is left to serve as a protective cover over the melted metal at all times and is effective in excluding oxidizing agents from the metal.

After the days work is done the remaining contents of the hearth may be poured ofin through the spout D. The charging tube may be lifted out for cleaning, repairs, or otherwise, and while removed access is readily aiforded through the top wall of the furnace for scraping out or otherwise cleaning the interior of the furnace.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims,` it is intended that all mattei' contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A furnace, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motionof liquid within the furnace having arelatively fiat surface portion, a floor within the furnace over which the liquid is adapted to flow, and said'floor being shaped to provide an abruptly inclined surface portion against which the liquid is adapted to flow to thereby agitate and miX the liquid as the body of liquid moves in one direction, and said floor being shaped to provide a further relatively flat surface portion extending` from the level of the upper edge of said inclined surface portion adapted to assist in the agitation of the liquid.

2. A furnace, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motion of liquid within the furnace, a

floor within the furnace over which the liquid is adapted to How, said floor having agitating surfaces at one side thereof against which the liquid is adapted to engage when the liquid flows in one direction, a pour out spout disposed adjacent said agitating surfaces, said floor being provided with a nonagitating surface at its opposite side for the purpose described, and a pour out spout disposed adjacent said non-agitating surface.

3. A furnace, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motion of liquid within the furnace, a floor within the furnace over which the liquid is adapted to flow, said floor having agitating sur-faces at one side thereof against which the liquid is adapted to engage when the liquid flows in one direction, and a pour out spout disposed adjacent to said agitating surfaces.

4. A furnace, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motion of liquid within the furnace, a floor within the furnace over which the liquid is adapted to flow, said floor having agitating surfaces at one side thereof against which the liquid is adapted to engage when the liquid flows in one direction, and a pour out tube having its inner end terminating adjacent to said agitating surfaces.

5. A furnace, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motion of liquid within the furnace, a floor within the furnace over which the liquid is adapted to flow, said floor having agitatingsurfaces at one side thereof against which the liquid is adapted to engage when the liquid flows in one direction, and a pour out tube arranged at an incline and being disposed so that its inner end terminates beneath the level of the liquid and adjacent to said agitating surfaces.

6. A furnace, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motion of liquid within the furnace, a floor within the furnace over which the liquid is adapted to flow, said floor having` agitating surfaces at one side thereof against which the liquid is adapted to engage when the liquid fiows in one direction, a pour out spout adjacent to said agitating surfaces, and a second pour out spout removed from said agitating surfaces.

7. A furnace comprising a hearth adapted to contain a quantity of molten metal, an

open ended charging tube extending into the furnace, having its lower open end terminating within the hearth above the floor thereof and below the level of the molten metal, said charging tube being adapted to contain the metal to be melted, means whereby melting heat may be applied into the interior of the furnace around said charging tube, and said charging tube having openings through the upper portion thereof llO through which a portion of said heat may enter the tube into and above the metal to be melted to thereby constitute a seal against oxygen above themetal to beiinelted.

8. A furnace comprising a hearth adapted to contain a quantity of. molten met-al, an open ended chargingv .tube extending into the furnace adapted to contain the metal tobe melted and to discharge molten metal into the hearth, means whereby melting heat may be applied into the interior of the furnace, and means to provide a seal against admission of oxygen to the. metal within the t-ube.

A furnace having'- a iiooi therein adapted to contain. a liquid, agitating. means for said liquid, and a pour out spout disposed adjacent to said agitating means.

10. A furnace having a floor therein adapted to contain a liquid, means formoving the floor adapted to cause the liquid to flow across the floor, agitating means for the liquid comprised inthe floor, and a pour out spout disposed adjacent to said agitatin means.

l1. A furnace having a floor therein adapted to contain a liquid, means for moving the floor adapted to cause the liquid to flow across thefloor, agitating means comprised in the floor at one side thereof operable for agitating the liquid as the liquid. flows toward said side, said floor at the o posite side thereof; being shaped to provide a gradual upward incline along which the4 liquid may flow and return without great disturbance, and a charging tube extending. into the furnace between said portions of' the floor.

1Q. A furnace comprising a hearth. adapted to contain. a quantity of molten metal, an open ended chargingy tube extending into the furnace adapt-ed to contain the metal to be melted and to discharge the molten metal into the hearth, means whereby the furnace is movably supported whereby to cause the molten metal to flow across the floor of the hearth, and agitating means comprised in the hearth spaced from said tubeadapted to agitate the metal flowing thereto.

13. A furnace having a floor therein.

adapted to contain a liquid, means for moving` thefloor adapted to cause the liquid to flow across the floor, a charging tube extending` upwardly above said floor and movable therewith, and agita-ting means for the liquid comprised in said floor.

let. A furnace having a floor therein adapted to contain a liquid, means for moving the floor adapted to cause the liquid to liow across the Hoor, and a charging tube extending upwardly above said Hoor and movable therewith.

l5. A furnace` having aA floor therein adapted, to contain a liquid, and` also having` anupper wall spacedabove said floor, means whereby the furnace may be bodily moved to cause a back and forth motion of liquid across said Hoor, and a charging tube carried by and movable with the furnace extending` upwardly from adjacent said floory and through said topwall.

16. A furnace havingv a floor therein adapted to contain a liquid, means for moving` the floor adapted to cause the liquid-to 'flow across the floor, agitating means coinprised in the Hoor at oneside thereof operable for agitating the. liquid as the liquid flows toward said side, said floor at the opposite side thereof. being shaped to provide a gradual upward incliney along which the liquid may flow and return without great disturbance, and a charging. tubeextending into the furnace terminating spaced above the upper surface. of said floor between said mentioned poitionsofv the floor.

171A furnace having a floor therein ing` into the furnace between said mentioned portions of the floor., and means carried' by said floor serving to support said charging.

tubespaced above said floor.

1S. A furnace having a4 floor. thereinl adapted to contain a liquid and also havi a portion providingv an enclosure abovesaid floor, a charging tube extending. upwardly from adjacent said floor and through said enclosure forming portion, and said charging tube having;` an opening formed'through.

the upper portion thereof within. said enclosure for the purpose described.

'19. A furnace having a floor therein. adapted to contain a liquid, means for moving the floor adapted to cause the liquid to llow across the floor, and a charging tube Yfvztending upwardly above the floor being movable therewith and having its lower ond open and terminating below the level. of the liquid upon said floor.

20.- A furnace having a floor therein adapted to contain a liquid, means for moving the floor; adapted4 to cause the liquid` to flow across the floor, and a charging tube extending upwardly above the floor being movable therewith and having its lower end open and terminating below the leveli of the liquid upon said floor, together with. a pouro'ut spout adjacent said floor. alsohaving its inner end terminating beneath the level of said liquid.

21. ik furnace designed to be rocked, oscillated` or otherwise moved in such man- CIK ner as to mix the molten metal therein, ln testimony whereof I aix my signature provided with means whereby material in the presence of two witnesses. floating upon the Surface of the molten LEONARD CHARLES HARVEY. metal can be maintained as a, protective 5 cover for the metal and whereby the metal lVitnesses:

to be melted can be introduced beneath such L. GESSFORD HANDY, protective cover7 substantially as described. S. J. AUMILLER. 

